Microchip and particle analyzing apparatus

Abstract

There is provided a microchip including a flow channel, an ejection portion, and a cutout portion. The flow channel is configured to convey a fluid therein. The ejection portion includes an opening directed toward an end face of a substrate layer, and the ejection portion is configured to eject the fluid flowing through the flow channel to outside. The substrate layer is laminated to each other. The cutout portion is formed between the opening of the ejection portion and the end face of the substrate layer. The cutout portion has a larger diameter than that of the opening.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A microchip comprising:
 a flow channel configured to convey a fluid therein; 
 an ejection portion including an opening directed toward an end face of a substrate layer, the ejection portion configured to eject the fluid flowing through the flow channel to outside, and 
 a cutout portion formed between the opening of the ejection portion and the end face of the substrate layer, the cutout portion having a larger diameter than that of the opening of the ejection portion, 
 wherein at least a portion of the cutout portion is provided at the end face of the substrate layer. 
 
     
     
       2. The microchip according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a connection portion, having a straight line shape for connecting the flow channel to the ejection portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The microchip according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the substrate layer is formed by injection molding. 
 
     
     
       4. The microchip according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the substrate layer is laminated by thermocompression bonding. 
 
     
     
       5. The microchip according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the cutout portion has a width of 0.2 millimeters or more in corresponding with a distance between the opening of the ejection portion and the end face of the substrate layer. 
 
     
     
       6. The microchip according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the microchip is configured to be used in a particle analyzing apparatus. 
 
     
     
       7. The microchip according to  claim 1 , wherein an opening of the cutout portion includes an octagonal prism shape. 
     
     
       8. The microchip according to  claim 1 , further comprising a suction channel, wherein the suction channel is connected with the flow channel via a communicating port. 
     
     
       9. The microchip according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tapered portion, wherein the tapered portion is provided between the flow channel and the communicating port. 
     
     
       10. A particle analyzing apparatus comprising:
 a microchip, an optical detector and a pair of electrodes, 
 wherein the microchip includes
 a flow channel configured to convey a fluid therein; 
 an ejection portion including an opening directed toward an end face of a substrate laver, the ejection portion configured to eject the fluid flowing through the flow channel to outside, and 
 a cutout portion formed between the opening of the ejection portion and the end face of the substrate laver, the cutout portion having a larger diameter than that of the opening of the ejection portion, 
 wherein at least a portion of the cutout portion is provided at the end face of the substrate layer. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The particle analyzing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein an opening of the cutout portion includes an octagonal prism shape. 
     
     
       12. The particle analyzing apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the optical detector includes a laser light source, an irradiation system and a detection system. 
     
     
       13. The particle analyzing apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a vibrating device, wherein the vibrating device is configured to vibrate the microchip. 
     
     
       14. The particle analyzing apparatus according to  claim 10 , further comprising a ground electrode, wherein the ground electrode is provided between the cutout portion and the pair of electrodes.